Mini-Market Moratorium Extended by 10 Months

The Rancho Palos Verdes City Council has extended a moratorium on the construction of mini-markets in the city.

The moratorium was first imposed on April 1 by passage of an urgency ordinance after a neighborhood on the city's eastern edge protested plans by Texaco Inc. to convert a closed gas station at Caddington Drive and Western Avenue into a self-service station and mini-mart.

During public hearings on the matter, residents said they were concerned that the Texaco mini-mart would contribute to loitering, litter, liquor sales and crime in their neighborhood and filed with the city a 500-signature petition demanding construction not be allowed.

The original ordinance was for 45 days and would have expired May 16.

City staff requested the ordinance be extended for 10 months and 15 days to allow time for further analysis of the impact of mini-marts on residential neighborhoods.